Just keep swimming..

[Eva and Fenway]

I'm doing my best to enjoy the puppy phase. I knew she was the right choice, but that it would be very difficult for a while. It does seem that each new day presents a brand new behavior at this age. I guess this counts as a general update.. and also, how much of this is normal?

 

Commands come easily, but the desire to obey them does not. This must be the PADD I read about on here :)

 

She's great with other dogs, people, and doesn't hate my cats (yay)! 

 

She's mouthy, which is expected. Have been following all the ignore/yelp suggestions - to no avail. This is also to be expected, I will be patient with this although it's hard. She has also started snapping in the air at me instead. I can't even tell if this is better or worse, really. 

 

Barking is a minimum, no more separation anxiety-type barking, and is totally quiet all night now! Phew.. unfortunately, she barks for attention constantly if she's in an excited state and I'm not playing with her. I ignore this entirely and it goes away. My nerves are getting shot to pieces, though.. haha. Is this okay? We play together and interact several hours a day at 3 different times.

 

Finally, a quick question:

One of her favorite things is to go outside - this is limited to certain areas for now, but I was looking forward to some longer walks post-vaccine series. However, I have read mixed reviews on this - that she should NOT be allowed to go for walks until much older? I'm assuming this doesn't include playing, so we can at least go to parks?

 

 

[Eva and Fenway]

Jess, glad to hear that these things work. We've made a lot of progress in the last week or so. I'm in the same situation with a townhouse complex, and we go for pavement-only walks exactly as you describe. The mouthiness has really gone by the wayside although she does need gentle reminders now and then, usually with other people who may not be as diligent. She does pretty well with basic loose leash when she's had the first few minutes of crazy out of her system (and has pottied). 

 

So far, so good. Still exhausting though, and the townhouse has complicated our housebreaking progress since I can not make it outside quickly with her in my arms (she can't take the stairs yet), but I expect this will get better shortly. Any tips here are appreciated as well.